“King and the other civil rights activists were able to create real change because they knew that nonviolence could be more powerful than violence,” said Brodnax. “He also made it clear that nonviolent resistance was not simply a passive murmur of discontent offered in the face of brute force.”

As part of the celebration, poetry readings were given by students Ranesha McGee ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Dominique Evans ’14 of Glenwood, Illinois, and scripture readings by Tabitha Matthews, pre-college coordinator, and Jeremy Klyn ’02, director of admissions.

Dr. Dennis Connelly, associate professor of criminal justice, commented on the responsibility of Christians in responding to violence in the world, a response that would follow the words of King’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech:

I believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land.”

The annual celebration is sponsored by the Office of Ethnic Diversity and the Ethnic Diversity Committee.